Industry: Radiohead will sign with ATO or Warner
Posted on October 5th, 2007.
Now it’s clear that Radiohead’s release of new album ‘In Rainbows’ will not only be available at InRainbows.com, but also a physical release on a record label, rumours have been floating around on which label Radiohead will sign to.
Billboard thinks that the record will actually get release before the end of the year and that label ATO is seen as the front-runner and potentially most attractive home for Radiohead. The band recorded for EMI until 2005, for numerous reasons. For one, Phil Costello, Capitol’s former senior VP of promotion and marketing, is now at ATO.
Further, Red Light Management has just launched a new offshoot label, Side One Recordings, in conjunction with ATO (Red Light owner/founder Coran Capshaw is also a co-founder/co-owner of ATO). The label’s first release is veteran U.K. electronica duo Underworld’s “Oblivion With Bells,” due Oct. 16.
Most ATO releases have been distributed in the U.S. by RCA, although some went through RED. The Nov. 13 release of David Gray’s “Greatest Hits” will mark the debut release by ATO as a fully independent, RED-distributed label. Side One Recordings is also distributed by RED.
EMI is also angling to re-establish ties with Radiohead. The group’s six studio albums for the company have sold a combined 8.5 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Another likely suitor is Warner Bros., which has been after Radiohead dating back to when the band was still affiliated with EMI. Perry Watts-Russell, who was senior VP of A&R at Capitol during Radiohead’s tenure, is now in the same position at Warner Bros.
The company has lately enjoyed success distributing artist-run labels like Jack White’s Third Man, to which the White Stripes are signed. The Stripes’ latest album, “Icky Thump,” has sold 603,000 copies.
An ATO/Red Light/Side One Recordings spokesperson declined to comment. Radiohead’s publicist says the band has not yet made a decision on a label partner. Also check The Daily Swarm for some updates from various sources.